Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

"Of course not."

Mingyi wrapped her arms around the man's neck, her eyes gleaming mischievously: "Don't you only like me, sir?"

She could spout sweet and romantic lies without hesitation.

Zong Xian, however, was completely smitten with her charm and enjoyed seeing her cute and charming appearance. The gloom in his eyes faded away: "You know I only like you."

"Therefore, I don't care who you marry, my lord. I only ask that you choose a kind and benevolent mistress who will treat me well, so that this kind of trouble will not happen again."

Zong Xian said earnestly, "I promise you, I will never let you suffer any more harm."

As soon as he finished speaking, he lowered his head slightly, intending to kiss her lips.

Mingyi suddenly extended a slender index finger and gently pressed it against his lips, stopping his movement.

Zong Xian looked up at her with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Mingyi seized the opportunity to make a condition: "I want to leave the manor to visit Sister Fan."

Fearing he might refuse, Mingyi added, "Tomorrow is the ninth day, and I want to tell Sister Fan that she is my only friend in the capital."

Zong Xian agreed, but then changed the subject: "However, you have to master the four finger techniques before I can let you go."

Mingyi was completely ignorant of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, which displeased Madam Zong. Therefore, Zongxian offered to teach her himself.

Everyone knows that Zong Xian became famous at a young age, excelling in both literature and martial arts, and was proficient in all six arts of a gentleman, with his zither playing being the best in the capital.

The melodious sound of the zither can cleanse the mind and calm the spirit, a refined and elegant quality praised by all the noble families in the capital.

But only Ji Mingyi, who was with him day and night, knew best that Zong Xian's blood and bones always harbored killing intent and violence.

He wields power and influences people's hearts; his methods are ruthless and cold-blooded, capable of destroying powerful families and ending people's lives with a mere flick of his wrist.

A person like him is most skilled at playing the zither and is most fond of elegant and tranquil music.

It has fooled countless people.

In order to leave the mansion and see Fan Jing one last time, Mingyi had no choice but to patiently learn.

At first, he couldn't get the hang of it, and the strings collided, producing a harsh, discordant sound, completely different from what the man was playing.

Mingyi's face immediately turned red.

Zong Xian held her right hand patiently: "Don't be impatient. How can you practice the zither well if your mind isn't calm?"

What's wrong with her mind?

Mingyi was clearly a little unconvinced: "Teach me properly."

Zong Xian glanced at her profile, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe. "How could I not have taught you properly? You were the one who was daydreaming and having ulterior motives."

He was just joking casually, but Mingyi suddenly felt a chill in his heart and his eyes darted away slightly, though he didn't see it from behind.

Mingyi said somewhat awkwardly, "With you holding me so close, of course I can't calm down!"

Zong Xian chuckled softly, indulging her excessively: "Alright, alright, it's all my fault."

As soon as he finished speaking, he released his arms from hers and let her sit on the chair to learn the piano by herself.

Mingyi slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

She is actually very perceptive, but she has always been too lazy to study these superficial skills for women.

Xie Huaiyu used to treat her with tolerance and respect, never forcing her to learn things she wasn't interested in, and he liked her no matter what.

Over time, she became increasingly unrestrained and irresponsible, and knew nothing about music, chess, calligraphy, or painting.

But if she really calms down and studies, there's nothing she can't learn.

Moreover, with Zong Xian personally guiding him, Mingyi mastered the essentials of the four finger techniques—wiping, picking, hooking, and flicking—in just one hour.

The piece "Phoenix Seeking Its Mate" initially had clumsy and chaotic fingering, making it almost unbearable to listen to, but gradually became barely listenable.

To have mastered this much in just half a day is already quite impressive.

However, the sun was already setting in the west, and it was approaching evening.

Mingyi still insisted on leaving the manor, and Zongxian, true to his word, did not stop her, but simply ordered his servant to accompany her.

He then gave her a few more words of advice: "It's windy outside, wear more clothes, don't linger, and come back early."

...

Zong Ying watched the two people in the warm pavilion from a short distance away, her feelings complicated.

The maid beside her curled her lip, indignant on behalf of her young mistress: "The other day, the young mistress stood up for her and was severely reprimanded by the old lady. When has the old lady ever raised her voice at the young mistress? But she's acting like nothing happened, wasting the young mistress's efforts."

The maidservant said with disdain, "Miss, look at her, she doesn't seem unwilling at all. She must be overjoyed to become a concubine in the Zong family! Miss, you should just ignore her from now on and avoid associating with people like her..."

"Enough, stop talking!" Zong Ying frowned and scolded softly.

The maid then shut her mouth.

Zong Ying felt somewhat uncomfortable and harbored some resentment.

She could no longer tell whether Mingyi was acting against her will or, as the maid said, was two-faced.

She no longer wanted to argue.

At this moment, Mingyi walked over and noticed that Zongying was also there at some point.

Mingyi was stunned for a moment, and was about to say something to her when Zongying turned her head and left with a cold expression.

Watching Zong Ying's indifferent departing figure, Mingyi pursed her lips, feeling bitter in her heart.

Now that things have come to this, she no longer wants to explain.

Let it be a misunderstanding!

...

Mingyi went to Baixianglou.

With the year-end approaching, Baixianglou's orders have surged, and the staff are bustling about, working with great enthusiasm.

Fan Jing was so busy that she didn't even have time to sit down and have a proper chat with Mingyi.

Mingyi didn't want to delay her business any longer, so he just stood quietly by and watched. As Baixianglou prospered, he felt a genuine sense of satisfaction.

Sister Fan raised her young child alone to make a living, but now her business is stable and thriving, and she has someone to rely on.

After Fan Jing finally managed to get away for a moment, Mingyi stopped bothering her, took out a red envelope sealed with red paper, and quietly slipped it to her.

Unable to refuse, Fan Jing had her son accept it.

He then took Mingyi's hand and said, "I'm so busy at the shop today, but next time you come, I'll definitely treat you well!"

There won't be a next time.

Mingyi thought about it, but still smiled and replied, "Okay."

After bidding farewell to Fan Jing, Mingyi left Baixianglou with her maid.

Ning Shuang suggested, "I've heard that Diancui Pavilion has acquired many beautiful new pieces of jewelry. Tomorrow is your wedding day, young lady, why don't we go and pick out a few accessories on the way?"

Mingyi said calmly, "What's there to buy?"

Seeing her indifferent demeanor, Ning Shuang didn't dare to say anything and quietly followed behind her.

The carriage was parked across the street.

At this moment, a group of people blocked Mingyi's path.

Princess Jianing, her expression fierce, glared at her and said, "It's you again!"

Mingyi looked at her, curtsied, and said politely but coldly, "Greetings, Princess."

"How come you're still alive?!"

Mingyi smiled faintly: "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Princess. I'm alive and well, eating and drinking well, and sleeping soundly."

Princess Jianing naively believed that Zong Xian had agreed to her conditions and happily waited at home for good news.

The people in the general's mansion kept it from her.

She had no idea that Murong Shu had risked his life for her and was trapped in the Zong Mansion, nor did she know that the General of Zhenbei had decided to go to the palace to annul the engagement with the emperor.

Princess Jianing was followed by several young ladies from noble families who fawned over her, and they stared at Ji Mingyi without any restraint.

No secrets stay hidden forever, and most people have already guessed Ji Mingyi's identity.

He couldn't help but be secretly surprised; the merchant's daughter's demeanor was no less impressive than that of a princess.

But just as the rumors said, she had a foxy look on her face.

None of the noble ladies intended to step forward; they were happy to watch the spectacle.

Princess Jianing was furious; she loathed Ji Mingyi's smug and self-satisfied demeanor!

This lowly woman should kneel on the ground and look up at her, not look at her straight on!

"How dare you! Who gave you permission to speak to me, the princess, like that! Kneel down!"